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You quit sex work to try real love with someone half your age. She's sweet but chaotic and rushing to move in. What could go wrong on Feedback Friday?And in case you didn't already know it, Jordan Harbinger (@JordanHarbinger) and Gabriel Mizrahi (@GabeMizrahi) banter and take your comments and questions for Feedback Friday right here every week! If you want us to answer your question, register your feedback, or tell your story on one of our upcoming weekly Feedback Friday episodes, drop us a line at friday@jordanharbinger.com. Now let's dive in!Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1244On This Week's Feedback Friday:As detailed on episode 1162, you transitioned from sex work, opened yourself to genuine vulnerability, and started dating a much younger Chinese grad student in Japan. She seemed perfect at first — loving, accepting, kind — but red flags started appearing. How did this experiment in radical vulnerability turn out?Your new boss is an award-winning academic genius who's destroying your workplace with delusional AI schemes, forcing everyone back to the office, and trying to rebrand 9/11. For some reason, he "likes" you enough to put you on all his committees. How do you work with a narcissistic visionary who won't listen to reason?You're great at connecting with people but keep hiding your true feelings until relationships fall apart. You just broke up with someone after two years because of dealbreakers you discussed but never enforced. When's the right time to speak up about what really matters to you?Recommendation of the Week: Cotopaxi Allpa Hip PackHow do you distill your life experience, knowledge, and wisdom into advice your surly, hormonal teenaged son can absorb (and overcome the dread of messing it all up)?Have any questions, comments, or stories you'd like to share with us? Drop us a line at friday@jordanharbinger.com!Connect with Jordan on Twitter at @JordanHarbinger and Instagram at @jordanharbinger.Connect with Gabriel on Twitter at @GabeMizrahi and Instagram @gabrielmizrahi.And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and relationship development mini course — at jordanharbinger.com/course!Subscribe to our once-a-week Wee Bit Wiser newsletter today and start filling your Wednesdays with wisdom!Do you even Reddit, bro? Join us at r/JordanHarbinger!This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors: Quiltmind: Email jordanaudience@quiltmind.com to get started or visit quiltmind.com for more infoDeleteMe: 20% off: joindeleteme.com/jordan, code JORDANSimpliSafe Home Security: 50% off + 1st month free: simplisafe.com/jordanHomes.com: Find your home: homes.comLand Rover Defender: Enter the Defender Trophy competition until November 30th, 2025: landroverusa.com/trophySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Would you buy a boat or a midcentury sideboard from your high school pals? Because Oz’s alma mater has opened an exclusive online marketplace for just this purpose! This week, Oz spins a yarn about Kitkat, the San Francisco cat killed by a Waymo. Locals are furious. Karah fills us in on Blued and Finka, the gay dating apps being censored by the Chinese government. Tech bros are obsessed with building statues, the FBI tries to unmask the owner of a popular internet archiving site, and we check out a flight app that could make your holiday travel more data-driven, if not less hectic. Finally, on Chat and Me, we talk about Kim Kardashian’s use of Chat—and whether it’s really her friend. Additional Reading: Eton’s old boy network app is like eBay for ex-prime ministers - The Times UK Waymo Was Thriving in San Francisco. Then One of Its Driverless Cars Killed a Cat. - The New York Times Apple Pulls China’s Top Gay Dating Apps After Government Order - WIRED FBI orders domain registrar to reveal who runs mysterious Archive.is site - Ars Technica The Smartest Fliers Use This App to Survive America’s Travel Hell - WSJ America’s Tech Rich Is Obsessed with Building Giant Statues - Bloomberg See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Would you buy a boat or a midcentury sideboard from your high school pals? Because Oz’s alma mater has opened an exclusive online marketplace for just this purpose! This week, Oz spins a yarn about Kitkat, the San Francisco cat killed by a Waymo. Locals are furious. Karah fills us in on Blued and Finka, the gay dating apps being censored by the Chinese government. Tech bros are obsessed with building statues, the FBI tries to unmask the owner of a popular internet archiving site, and we check out a flight app that could make your holiday travel more data-driven, if not less hectic. Finally, on Chat and Me, we talk about Kim Kardashian’s use of Chat—and whether it’s really her friend. Additional Reading: Eton’s old boy network app is like eBay for ex-prime ministers - The Times UK Waymo Was Thriving in San Francisco. Then One of Its Driverless Cars Killed a Cat. - The New York Times Apple Pulls China’s Top Gay Dating Apps After Government Order - WIRED FBI orders domain registrar to reveal who runs mysterious Archive.is site - Ars Technica The Smartest Fliers Use This App to Survive America’s Travel Hell - WSJ America’s Tech Rich Is Obsessed with Building Giant Statues - Bloomberg See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Trump administration has unveiled plans for a huge expansion of offshore oil drilling. Federal law requires the Interior Department to come up with five-year schedules of oil and gas lease sales. The most recent proposal includes as many as 34 potential offshore lease sales, near the coasts of Alaska, California, and Florida. Also on the show: why the Dutch government wanted to take over a Chinese-owned chip company.
Today's topic is local Chinese places. Here in Minnesota we've got Leeann Chin. In California they, of course, have some place that's like a hundred dollars a plate. Either way, it's good stuff, and you should probably eat enough of it that people can't see your bones through your skin. Speaking of which, Tim screened Wicked part 2, so make sure to hear his thoughts on that if you're interested.On the show:The familyKristyn BurttTim LammersTopics:Wicked: For GoodHollywood anorexiaChinese foodKevin SpaceyThanksgivingSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Send us a textThis week on Mummy Dearest Podcast we're unwrapping 1996's Puritanical liar girl rom-com "The Crucible"! We discuss everything from getting water sign revenge on those who have wronged us to getting drunk at a Chinese family reunion! We also discuss the film, but like, you know, briefly. The AI component of our podcast that we cannot turn off recommended we name this episode "Uncle Zach's Tickle Tales" and just wait til you find out why! Zach also calls Daniel Day-Lewis one to watch, a true star on the rise. We can't wait to see what he does next in his career! All that and so much more on this week's episode of Mummy Dearest Podcast! Support the showVisit MummyDearestPodcast.com for merch and more!Follow the podcast on Instagram!Follow Sloane on Instagram!Follow Zach on Instagram!And most importantly, become a Patron and unlock hundreds of bonus episodes!
It's a big big week. No phoning it in this time. No no, as this is the most politically significant balanced podcast in the UK.Finally, the call of the nation has been answered. John Robins has been in the corridors of power. If you notice general efficiency being raised by 0.12% in UK PLC this week then you have one man to thank - external factors notwithstanding.He brought up the economy. He brought up the welfare state. He brought up international affairs. And Elis was there. And John did all of this whilst having a prawn tempura in his pocket.It's a visit to the PM one minute, the next it's the most expensive Chinese John has ever had surrounded by horrible people. The duality of life.And yet somehow despite all these matters of import we get to Geese chat within the first 2 minutes.Want to join John's cabinet? elisandjohn@bbc.co.uk and 07974 293 022 on WhatsApp are where you can send your applications.
Sponsor Details:This episode of Space Nuts is brought to you with the support of NordVPN. To get our special Space Nuts listener discounts and four months free bonus, all with a 30 day money back guarantee, simply visit wwwnordvpn.com/spacenuts or use the coupon code SPACENUTS at checkout.Leonid Meteor Shower, Mars Escapade Mission, and GyrochronologyIn this captivating episode of Space Nuts, hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Jonti Horner delve into the latest astronomical events and missions. From the ongoing Leonid meteor shower to the successful launch of the Mars Escapade mission, this episode is filled with stellar insights and cosmic discoveries that will ignite your curiosity about the universe.Episode Highlights:- The Leonid Meteor Shower: Andrew and Jonti discuss the current Leonid meteor shower, exploring its unique characteristics and historical significance. They explain the science behind meteor showers and the factors that influence their visibility, providing listeners with tips on when and where to catch the best views.- Successful Mars Escapade Mission: The hosts share exciting news about the Mars Escapade mission, which has successfully launched aboard Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket. They discuss the mission's innovative trajectory, which involves a gravity assist from Earth, and the scientific objectives aimed at unraveling the mysteries of Mars' atmosphere and its evolution over time.- Chasing Stars with Gyrochronology: In a fascinating segment, Andrew and Jonti introduce the concept of gyrochronology, a method used to estimate the ages of stars based on their rotation rates. They explore how this technique can help identify stars that were once part of the Pleiades cluster, shedding light on the complex history of star formation in our galaxy.- Chinese Astronauts Stranded on Tiangong Space Station: The episode also covers the current situation involving Chinese astronauts stranded on the Tiangong Space Station due to a damaged spacecraft. Andrew and Jonti discuss the implications of this incident and the challenges faced by space missions in an increasingly crowded orbital environment.For more Space Nuts, including our continuously updating newsfeed and to listen to all our episodes, visit our website. Follow us on social media at SpaceNutsPod on Facebook, X, YouTube Music Music, Tumblr, Instagram, and TikTok. We love engaging with our community, so be sure to drop us a message or comment on your favorite platform.If you'd like to help support Space Nuts and join our growing family of insiders for commercial-free episodes and more, visit spacenutspodcast.com/about.Stay curious, keep looking up, and join us next time for more stellar insights and cosmic wonders. Until then, clear skies and happy stargazing.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support.
Tencent is one of China's biggest tech companies, running the popular Chinese messaging app WeChat and the world's largest video game vendor. Now, it's also an up-and-coming force in the field of carbon removal. Xu Hao, the vice president of Sustainable Social Value at Tencent, oversees two of those initiatives: the Carbon Neutrality Lab and CarbonX. He sits down with Sherrell Dorsey, host of the “TED Tech” podcast, to talk about how megacorporation can help advance the climate movement. He also explores the current state of carbon removal technology and how Tencent's video games are becoming an unlikely source of climate education for hundreds of thousands of people. This is episode three of a four-part series airing this month on TED Tech, where host and climate tech journalist Sherrell Dorsey speaks with climate leaders on the technology sparking a greener, more equitable future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Zixuan Li is Director of Product and genAI Strategy at Z.ai (also known as Zhipu 智谱 AI). The release of their benchmark-topping flagship model, GLM 4.5, was akin to “another DeepSeek moment,” in the words of Nathan Lambert. Our conversation today covers… What sets Z.ai apart from other Chinese models, including coding, role-playing capabilities, and translations of cryptic Chinese internet content, Why Chinese AI companies chase recognition from Silicon Valley thought leaders, The role of open source in the Chinese AI ecosystem, Fears of job loss and the prevalence of AI pessimism in China, How Z.ai trains its models, and what capabilities the company is targeting next. Co-hosting today are Irene Zhang, long-time ChinaTalk analyst, as well as Nathan Lambert of the Interconnects Substack. Follow Z.ai on X: https://x.com/Zai_org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
There's mounting evidence from the United Nations and others that Chinese organized crime syndicates are moving more of their operations from countries in Southeast Asia to Africa. These groups are contributing to a surge in illicit crypto mining, scam centers, illegal wildlife trafficking, and black market weapons sales. African countries with already weak governance systems are particularly vulnerable. Géraud speaks with Adam Rousselle, a researcher and author who tracks the illicit arms trade, about his recent article on the topic published by the Jamestown Foundation. Adam explains how all of the different Chinese illegal trade networks in Africa are interlinked with one another. SHOW NOTES: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime: Inflection Point: Global Implications of Scam Centres, Underground Banking and Illicit Online Marketplaces in Southeast Asia Jamestown Foundation: Illicit PRC-linked Finance Enables Arms Diversion in Africa by Adam Rouselle CHAPTERS: The Illicit Underworld – How illegal mining, logging, and weapons flows shape China–Africa debates Individuals vs the State – Why Chinese nationals abroad are often mistaken for Beijing's agents South Kivu Gold Trail – What the recent court case reveals about Chinese smuggling networks Governance Gaps – How weak enforcement and political protection fuel illicit economies Cryptocurrency Networks – The rise of Chinese-linked crypto operations in Nigeria and beyond Weapons on the Move – Why Chinese-made guns keep appearing in Africa's conflict zones The UAE Hub – How Dubai became the transit point for arms and illicit finance The Leaky Bucket – Why illicit flows don't imply coordination or state intent Local Complicity – The real role of African politicians, militaries, and brokers Reputational Risks for Beijing – Embassy frustrations and the cost of unmanaged actors Media Distortions – How U.S. and European narratives simplify complex realities JOIN THE DISCUSSION: X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander | @christiangeraud Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social FOLLOW CGSP IN FRENCH & SPANISH: French: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine Spanish: www.chinalasamericas.com | @ChinaAmericas JOIN US ON PATREON! Become a CGSP Patreon member and get all sorts of cool stuff, including our Week in Review report, an invitation to join monthly Zoom calls with Eric & Cobus, and even an awesome new CGSP Podcast mug! www.patreon.com/chinaglobalsouth
In this special episode of Takeaway Chinese, we're going to learn how to say "esports" in Chinese.
As the US is reported to have drafted a deal with Russia on Ukraine, we look at the impact the war has had on Ukrainian children. Also: Facebook and Instagram start closing Australian teenager's accounts ahead of the social media ban next month. A court in the Philippines has found a former mayor, Alice Guo, guilty of human trafficking linked to a scam centre in her town. As fears mount of a Chinese invasion, Taiwan issues instructions to its citizens of what to do if war breaks out. We hear from the son of one of the Nazi war criminals sentenced to death in the Nuremberg trials, 80 years after they began. And a new exhibition explores the quirky, stylised world of the American film director, Wes Anderson.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Canada-China Relations and Chinese Deception Guest: Charles Burton Charles Burton, author of The Beaver and the Dragon, discussed Canada's troubled relationship with China, criticizing the new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for adopting rhetoric favoring "pragmatic and constructive relations," suggesting Canada might ally with China's geostrategic goal of undermining U.S.-backed liberal democracies, with Carney's accelerated meetings with Xi Jinping possibly being attempts to secure market access or apply pressure on the U.S., while Burton noted concerns over the non-implementation of Canada's foreign agent registry despite issues like Chinese espionage and election interference. 1904
Chinese Hybrid Warfare and Lawfare in the Solomon Islands Guest: Cleo Paskal Cleo Paskal detailed China's hybrid warfare in the Solomon Islands, focusing on Daniel Suidani, a former premier of Malaita who resisted Chinese influence by instituting a moratorium on CCP-linked businesses due to concerns over environmental and social harm, but after being politically ousted, he and his colleague were targeted with spurious "lawfare" charges (unlawful assembly) designed to demoralize and bankrupt them, with Suidani tragically dying of kidney failure after being denied use of a China-donated dialysis machine, while India-donated machines sat unused due to government stonewalling on training. 1905 WHITE HOUSE DINNER GUESTS
China's AI Strategy and Chip Self-Sufficiency Guest: Jack Burnham Jack Burnham discussed China's AI development, which prioritizes political control and self-sufficiency over immediate excellence, evidenced by the Chinese Cyberspace Administration banning large internet companies from purchasing high-end Nvidia processors, with the CCP aiming to build out its own domestic systems to insulate itself from potential U.S. leverage, while the Chinese DeepSeek AI model is considered a "good enough" open-source competitor due to its low cost, accessibility, and high quality in certain computations, despite some identified security issues. 1900
SHOW 11-19-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR 1937 THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT JAPAN... FIRST HOUR 9-915 US Military Deployment near Venezuela and Geopolitical Conflicts Guest: Colonel Jeff McCausland Colonel Jeff McCausland discussed the large U.S. naval force, including the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier, deployed near Venezuela, suggesting this force, the largest in the Caribbean since the Cuban Missile Crisis, appears designed for regime change rather than just narcotics interdiction, with a resulting occupation requiring 60,000 to 100,000 troops and risks turning the U.S. into an occupying force dealing with narco-terrorism and sanctuary issues in countries like Colombia, while also noting Moscow's lack of genuine interest in negotiating an end to the conflict in Ukraine. 915-930 930-945 China's AI Strategy and Chip Self-Sufficiency Guest: Jack Burnham Jack Burnham discussed China's AI development, which prioritizes political control and self-sufficiency over immediate excellence, evidenced by the Chinese Cyberspace Administration banning large internet companies from purchasing high-end Nvidia processors, with the CCP aiming to build out its own domestic systems to insulate itself from potential U.S. leverage, while the Chinese DeepSeek AI model is considered a "good enough" open-source competitor due to its low cost, accessibility, and high quality in certain computations, despite some identified security issues. 945-1000 US Productivity vs. Chinese Manufacturing Dominance Guest: Dave Hebert Dave Hebert analyzed China's manufacturing dominance, which is fundamentally based on massive state subsidies (over $1 trillion annually) and a huge workforce of up to 212 million people, despite this scale, the U.S. workforce is vastly more productive per capita, supported by foreign investment, skilled immigration, and innovation, while China suffers from factory overcapacity due to subsidized production regardless of market demand, and he argued that U.S. tariffs harm domestic productivity by increasing the cost of raw materials and components for American manufacturers. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 Japan's New PM and Existential Threat of Taiwan Conflict Guest: Lance Gatling Lance Gatling discussed Japan's new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, who has adopted a notably hawkish position towards China, stating that a blockade or threat against Taiwan could be interpreted as an existential threat to Japan, allowing the possibility of engaging in collective defense with allies like the U.S. or Philippines, and amid rising tensions and China's attempts to inflict economic damage, Takaichi is moving to accelerate the doubling of Japan's defense procurement budget, while the U.S. withdrawal of the mobile Typhoon missile system was criticized as strategically counterproductive during this critical moment. 1015-1030 The USS Gerald R. Ford and Gunboat Diplomacy in the Caribbean Guest: Rebecca Grant Rebecca Grant affirmed that the arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford supercarrier in the Caribbean is the "top symbol of American power," providing significant strike and surveillance options, with the rapid deployment being unusual and signaling a large strategic shift to reassert U.S. interests in the Western Hemisphere, pressure Maduro, and push back against Chinese and Russian influence, and Grant agreed with China's label of the action as "gunboat diplomacy," noting that it is strategically effective in signaling America's seriousness about the region. 1030-1045 Canada-China Relations and Chinese Deception Guest: Charles Burton Charles Burton, author of The Beaver and the Dragon, discussed Canada's troubled relationship with China, criticizing the new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for adopting rhetoric favoring "pragmatic and constructive relations," suggesting Canada might ally with China's geostrategic goal of undermining U.S.-backed liberal democracies, with Carney's accelerated meetings with Xi Jinping possibly being attempts to secure market access or apply pressure on the U.S., while Burton noted concerns over the non-implementation of Canada's foreign agent registry despite issues like Chinese espionage and election interference. 1045-1100 THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 Chinese Hybrid Warfare and Lawfare in the Solomon Islands Guest: Cleo Paskal Cleo Paskal detailed China's hybrid warfare in the Solomon Islands, focusing on Daniel Suidani, a former premier of Malaita who resisted Chinese influence by instituting a moratorium on CCP-linked businesses due to concerns over environmental and social harm, but after being politically ousted, he and his colleague were targeted with spurious "lawfare" charges (unlawful assembly) designed to demoralize and bankrupt them, with Suidani tragically dying of kidney failure after being denied use of a China-donated dialysis machine, while India-donated machines sat unused due to government stonewalling on training. 1115-1130 1130-1145 Space Exploration Updates (Blue Origin, SpaceX, China's space station, FAA regulations) Guest: Bob Zimmerman Bob Zimmerman provided several space updates, noting Blue Origin successfully launched and landed the New Glenn first stage, demonstrating sophisticated sideways landing software technology comparable to SpaceX, while SpaceX achieved its 150th launch this year, dominating the industry and surpassing the combined total of all other entities, with the FAA ending the daytime launch curfew that was previously implemented due to air traffic controller limitations, and furthermore, three Chinese taikonauts aboard Tiangong 3 are in an emergency, currently lacking a functional lifeboat capsule. 1145-1200 FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 Commodities, AI Demand, and UK Political Turmoil Guest: Simon Constable Simon Constable reported on market trends with energy prices significantly down but metals like copper and steel consistently higher, reflecting strong demand particularly for AI data center construction, while future chocolate prices are projected to rise due to "transcontinental climate change" linking Amazon deforestation to political instability in major cocoa regions like the DRC, and in UK politics, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faces constant internal revolts and distrust due to policy flip-flops, tax increases, and failure to solve the immigration problem. 1215-1230 1230-1245 1245-100 AM Comparing Chinese Engineers (Technocracy) and American Lawyers (Process) Guest: John Kitch John Kitch reviewed Dan Wang's book Breakneck, which contrasts China's engineer-dominated political leadership with America's lawyer-dominated system, noting China's engineers excel at executing large-scale plans and directing resources, fostering output, but their technocratic mindset struggles with complex human problems and leads to unintended consequences, while American lawyers establish effective regulations and protect civil liberties but often result in excessive process, compliance focus, and reduced economic dynamism, with Wang advocating for greater economic dynamism in the United States.
Comparing Chinese Engineers (Technocracy) and American Lawyers (Process) Guest: John Kitch John Kitch reviewed Dan Wang's book Breakneck, which contrasts China's engineer-dominated political leadership with America's lawyer-dominated system, noting China's engineers excel at executing large-scale plans and directing resources, fostering output, but their technocratic mindset struggles with complex human problems and leads to unintended consequences, while American lawyers establish effective regulations and protect civil liberties but often result in excessive process, compliance focus, and reduced economic dynamism, with Wang advocating for greater economic dynamism in the United States. 1920
Space Exploration Updates (Blue Origin, SpaceX, China's space station, FAA regulations) Guest: Bob Zimmerman Bob Zimmerman provided several space updates, noting Blue Origin successfully launched and landed the New Glenn first stage, demonstrating sophisticated sideways landing software technology comparable to SpaceX, while SpaceX achieved its 150th launch this year, dominating the industry and surpassing the combined total of all other entities, with the FAA ending the daytime launch curfew that was previously implemented due to air traffic controller limitations, and furthermore, three Chinese taikonauts aboard Tiangong 3 are in an emergency, currently lacking a functional lifeboat capsule. 1905
CONTINUED Chinese Hybrid Warfare and Lawfare in the Solomon Islands Guest: Cleo Paskal 1905,
US Productivity vs. Chinese Manufacturing Dominance Guest: Dave Hebert Dave Hebert analyzed China's manufacturing dominance, which is fundamentally based on massive state subsidies (over $1 trillion annually) and a huge workforce of up to 212 million people, despite this scale, the U.S. workforce is vastly more productive per capita, supported by foreign investment, skilled immigration, and innovation, while China suffers from factory overcapacity due to subsidized production regardless of market demand, and he argued that U.S. tariffs harm domestic productivity by increasing the cost of raw materials and components for American manufacturers. 1898
The USS Gerald R. Ford and Gunboat Diplomacy in the Caribbean Guest: Rebecca Grant Rebecca Grant affirmed that the arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford supercarrier in the Caribbean is the "top symbol of American power," providing significant strike and surveillance options, with the rapid deployment being unusual and signaling a large strategic shift to reassert U.S. interests in the Western Hemisphere, pressure Maduro, and push back against Chinese and Russian influence, and Grant agreed with China's label of the action as "gunboat diplomacy," noting that it is strategically effective in signaling America's seriousness about the region. 1904
Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he dives into today's top stories shaping America and the world. In this episode of The Wright Report, Bryan breaks down President Trump's one trillion dollar deal with Saudi Arabia, the political risk created by the lingering 9/11 lawsuit, the White House's continued push for foreign labor, and new polling that shows major headwinds for Republicans. The global brief then moves to Russian sabotage across Europe, Chinese made vehicles spying on Western militaries, and new research from Australia on autism and prenatal nutrition. Trump Signs One Trillion Dollar Saudi Deal: President Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman agreed to sweeping partnerships that span nuclear energy, rare earth mining, financial services, liquified natural gas, advanced AI chips, and the sale of up to forty eight F-35 fighter jets. The deal promises major job gains in states like Texas, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Arizona, and Louisiana. Bryan notes that Congress must still approve the fighter sales and that Israel will require a guaranteed technological edge before any jets reach Riyadh. He also warns that the 9/11 families' lawsuit against the Saudi government could disrupt everything. Court filings allege that two Saudi linked men assisted the first hijackers upon arrival in the United States, and a judge has ruled that the evidence is strong enough to move forward. Foreign Labor Controversy and Political Fallout: Trump defended his plan to use H-1B workers for new chip and battery factories, arguing that American workers are not trained for these roles. He acknowledged that the stance is hurting his poll numbers but insisted that "smart people" support his position. Bryan outlines why many conservatives see this as a repeat of past Big Tech abuses and why Silicon Valley's financial support could become a liability for the White House if working class voters feel sidelined. Polls show two thirds of Americans believe the country is on the wrong track, Trump's approval rating sits around thirty eight percent in public surveys, and Democrats hold a fourteen point lead on the congressional generic ballot. Economic Signals Remain Mixed: The trade deficit fell twenty four percent as Americans purchased more U.S. made goods, suggesting the tariffs are strengthening domestic manufacturing. Construction data shows modest growth in housing but weakness in commercial projects. Foreclosures are rising, and Zillow reports that homeowners now face sixteen thousand dollars in annual upkeep on average. Bryan cautions that unless working families feel real relief by summer, the midterms could be difficult for Republicans. Russia Sabotages European Rail Lines: Poland confirmed that Russian intelligence directed two sabotage attempts on rail lines used to deliver weapons and aid to Ukraine. Explosives were placed to derail a passenger train, and investigators arrested two Ukrainian men recruited through online channels. Bryan connects this attack to a wider hybrid war across Europe directed by the GRU, including recent attempts to set off explosives in air cargo shipments. Italy's defense minister declared that Europe is under attack, although Bryan notes that European militaries are too hollowed out to respond meaningfully for years to come. China's Electric Cars and Buses Act as Spy Platforms: The United Kingdom warned that Chinese made hybrid and electric vehicles can record conversations and transmit data back to Beijing. Norway found that Chinese electric buses can be hacked and remotely controlled even in deep underground environments. Israel seized seven hundred Chinese government vehicles after discovering data gathering sensors. Bryan reminds listeners that he first warned of this surveillance threat years ago and says Western governments are only now catching up. Australia Links Prenatal Nutrition to Lower Autism Risk: Researchers found that prenatal supplements containing folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin D, iodine, and other micronutrients are associated with a thirty percent reduction in autism risk. Scientists suspect a connection to the mother's gut microbiome and its influence on fetal development. Bryan notes that similar gut based treatments have shown promise in Europe and the United States and encourages listeners to remain open to emerging science. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32 Keywords: Trump Saudi one trillion dollar deal, F-35 sale approval Congress, Saudi 9/11 lawsuit al-Bayoumi al-Thumairy, Trump H-1B foreign workers battery factories, U.S. trade deficit drop tariffs, Poland Russia rail sabotage Ukraine, Chinese electric vehicle spying UK Norway Israel, prenatal vitamins autism Australia study
To become a follower of Jesus, visit: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/MeetJesus (NOT a Morning Mindset resource) ⇒ TODAY'S DAILY SPONSOR: Today’s episode is sponsored by Footsteps with Jesus - an app that connects your daily walks to the path of Christ, offering Scripture, reflections, and blessings along His journey through the Holy Land. - https://footstepswithjesus.com/ You can sponsor a daily episode of the Morning Mindset too, by going to https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/DailySponsor ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter 4:12–13 - Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. [13] But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. (ESV) ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE MORNING MINDSET: (not tax-deductible) -- Become a monthly partner: https://mm-gfk-partners.supercast.com/ -- Support a daily episode: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/daily-sponsor/ -- Give one-time: https://give.cornerstone.cc/careygreen -- Venmo: @CareyNGreen ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ FOREIGN LANGUAGE VERSIONS OF THIS PODCAST: SPANISH version: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Spanish HINDI version: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Hindi CHINESE version: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Chinese ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ CONTACT: Carey@careygreen.com ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ THEME MUSIC: “King’s Trailer” – Creative Commons 0 | Provided by https://freepd.com/ ***All NON-ENGLISH versions of the Morning Mindset are translated using A.I. Dubbing and Translation tools from DubFormer.ai ***All NON-ENGLISH text content (descriptions and titles) are translated using the A.I. functionality of Google Translate.
How did the young journalist with the quiff haircut and his companion Snowy The Dog feature in Nazi propaganda in the 1940s? What was the origin story of Hergé, the Belgian illustrator who created The Adventures of Tintin? How did an unlikely friendship transform Hergé's life and lead him to draw Tintin crying in a comic strip for the first and only time? Anita and William navigate the turbulent hot waters of Tintin's history from anti-Soviet propaganda, to featuring authentic Chinese calligraphy, to becoming one of the most successful comic book series in the world. Join the Empire Club: Unlock the full Empire experience – with bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to miniseries and live show tickets, exclusive book discounts, a members-only newsletter, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at empirepoduk.com For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com. Email: empire@goalhanger.com Instagram: @empirepoduk Blue Sky: @empirepoduk X: @empirepoduk Producer: Anouska Lewis Assistant Producer: Alfie Rowe Executive Producer: Dom Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
On this episode of the Cajun Knight Live, we spend a fair amount of time talking about the situation with American politics. Specifically the Epstein Files Transparency Act, and what this could mean moving forward. We also talk about the Saudi prince upping the ante and promising to invest $1 trillion into the US. We then shift over to a former Canadian snowboarder who just made the CIAs top 10 most wanted list for his cartel affiliations, before shifting back over to Trump where the media is falsely claiming he slept with his assistant and the MAGA movement may be in the process of being replaced with the America First movement. Some are speculating this to be a foreign psyops. Speaking of foreign psyops, we then shift over to China, and discuss the AI driven cyberattack that was just launched on the US. We also talk about the 3 new Chinese astronauts stranded in space, and the Chinese bridge that just collapsed, showing the infrastructure issues within the country.To join us next Wednesday at 9pm cst, come to patreon.com/CajunKnightBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/cult-of-conspiracy--5700337/support.
This week on Sinica, I welcome back Finbarr Bermingham, the Brussels-based Europe correspondent for the South China Morning Post, about the Nexperia dispute — one of the most revealing episodes in the global contest over semiconductor supply chains. Nexperia, a Dutch-headquartered chipmaker owned by Shanghai-listed Wingtech, became the subject of extraordinary government intervention when the Netherlands invoked a Cold War-era emergency law to seize temporary control of the company and suspend its Chinese CEO. Finbarr's reporting, drawing on Dutch court documents and expert sources, has illuminated the tangled threads of this story: preexisting concerns about governance and technology transfer, mounting U.S. pressure on The Hague to remove Chinese management, and the timing of the Dutch action on the very day the U.S. rolled out its affiliate rule. We discuss China's retaliatory export controls on chips packaged at Nexperia's Dongguan facilities, the role of the Trump-Xi meeting in Busan in unlocking a temporary thaw, and what this case reveals about Europe's agonizing position between American pressure and Chinese integration in global production networks.4:34 – Why the "Europe cracks down on Chinese acquisition" framing was too simple 6:17 – The Dutch court's extraordinary tick-tock of events and U.S. lobbying 9:04 – The June pressure from Washington: divestment or the affiliate list 10:13 – Dutch fears of production know-how relocating to China 12:35 – The impossible position: damned if they did, damned if they didn't 14:46 – The obscure Cold War-era Goods Availability Act 17:11 – CEO Zhang Xuezheng and the question of who stopped cooperating first 19:26 – Was China's export control a state policy or a corporate move? 22:16 – Europe's de-risking framework and the lessons from Nexperia 25:39 – The fragmented European response: Germany, France, Hungary, and the Baltics 30:31 – Did Germany shape the response behind the scenes? 33:06 – The Trump-Xi meeting in Busan and the resolution of the crisis 37:01 – Will the Nexperia case deter future European interventions? 40:28 – Is Europe still an attractive market for Chinese investment? 41:59 – The Europe China Forum: unusually polite in a time of tenterhooksPaying it forward: Dewey Sim (SCMP diplomacy desk, Beijing); Coco Feng (SCMP technology, Guangdong); Khushboo Razdan (SCMP North America); Sense Hofstede (Chinese Bossen newsletter)Recommendations: Finbarr: Chokepoints by Edward Fishman; Underground Empire by Henry Farrell and Abe Newman; "What China Wants from Europe" by John Delury (Engelsberg Ideas) Kaiser: The Three Musketeers: D'Artagnan and Milady (2023 French film adaptation)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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“When courage defies cartels, politics panics.”
This week on the Talking Headways podcast we're joined by Olivia Plotnick, Founder of Wai Social in Shanghai China. We discuss her summer trip to over 30 different Chinese cities to experience different retail, the impacts of high speed rail, and the social e-commerce ecosystem. We also discuss how competition has made Chinese retail sharper, electric vehicle saturation, and emotional consumption. +++ Get the show ad free on Patreon! Follow us on Bluesky, Threads, Instagram, YouTube, Flickr, Substack ... @theoverheadwire Follow us on Mastadon theoverheadwire@sfba.social Support the show on Patreon http://patreon.com/theoverheadwire Buy books on our Bookshop.org Affiliate site! And get our Cars are Cholesterol shirt at Tee-Public! And everything else at http://theoverheadwire.com
Democrats like to push things to the limit, play “chicken” as it were. How many things have they knowingly lied about, then pretended that they were right? Many.And they play with people's lives for sport.Hearken back to COVID.They knew how this happened, but pretended they didn't. They lied about Chinese labs, and actually helped the Chinese concoct a bat story at a market.Then, they lied about how dangerous the disease was. I dare you to re-examine the numbers and the “kill ratios” they proposed. They worked the world into a frenzy, all to get money and power.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Today's story: Parkrun is a free, volunteer-run event that takes place every Saturday morning in parks around the world. Participants run, jog, or walk a 5K route, and the focus is on community, health, and fun—not competition. What started with just 13 runners in London has expanded to over 23 countries.Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/819Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/819 --Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.You might be learning English to improve your career, enjoy music and movies, connect with family abroad, or even prepare for an international move. Whatever your reason, we'll help you achieve your goals in English.How it works: Listen to a new story every Monday and Thursday. They're all about current events, trending topics, and what's going on in the world. Get exposure to new words and ideas that you otherwise might not have heard in English.The audio moves at a speed that's right for intermediate English learners: just a little slower than full native speed. You'll improve your English listening, learn new words, and have fun thinking in English.--Did you like this episode? You'll love the full Plain English experience. Join today and unlock the fast (native-speed) version of this episode, translations in the transcripts, how-to video lessons, live conversation calls, and more. Tap/click: PlainEnglish.com/joinHere's where else you can find us: Instagram | YouTube | WhatsApp | EmailMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com
As Pakistanis and Indians struggle with hazardous air quality, in Beijing – a city once notorious for its smog – the air quality is currently rated as good.Ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Chinese government was so concerned about pollution that it introduced temporary restrictions on cars, shut down factories and work on some construction sites. It would take a few more years before the Chinese government implemented a clean air action plan in 2013. Since then, China has achieved a dramatic improvement in its air quality.In this episode, we speak to Laura Wilcox, a professor at the National Centre for Atmospheric Science at the University of Reading in the UK, to understand how China managed to clean up its air pollution. But Wilcox's recent research uncovered some unintended consequences from this cleaner air for the global climate: the pollution was actually helping to cool the atmosphere and by taking it away, it may have accelerated global warming.This episode was produced by Mend Mariwany, Katie Flood and Gemma Ware. Mixing by Michelle Macklem and theme music by Neeta Sarl. Read the full credits for this episode and sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation.If you like the show, please consider donating to The Conversation, an independent, not-for-profit news organisation.Solar geoengineering: the risks and distractions of trying to reflect sunlight to cool the Earth – podcastDelhi: how weather patterns and faraway mountains made this the world's most polluted megacityCleaner air in east Asia may have driven recent acceleration in global warming, our new study indicates
In this empowering episode, Risa sits down with Dr. Venessa Lee, a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, to explore how acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and TCM philosophy can support women through perimenopause, menopause, and midlife health challenges. They dive into the root causes behind symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, dryness, fatigue, and sleep issues, and discuss how balancing yin and yang helps restore harmony in the body. Dr. Venessa explains how diet, lifestyle, herbs, and acupuncture work together to nourish yin, clear heat, and regulate the organ systems most affected during this transition. She also shares insights on facial acupuncture, micro-needling, cupping, and moxibustion, plus surprising ways Chinese medicine can support fertility and pregnancy. Guest Bio: Dr. Vanessa Lee is a licensed acupuncturist in NY and CT states, and an herbalist certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)®. She earned her Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM) and Masters of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine (MSTOM) from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. Her greatest joy lies in helping each patient rediscover their innate healing abilities and cultivate a healthy, sustainable connection with their inner world. Feeling heard and seen is essential to any therapeutic process. Connect with Vanessa: www.drvenessalee.com IG @drvenessalee #WomensHealth #Perimenopause #MenopauseRelief #ChineseMedicine #AcupunctureBenefits #HolisticHealth #TCM #MidlifeWellness #HormoneHealth #NaturalHealing
“If I had been enslaved for a year or two, I might not be able to believe in humanity any more.” “I am a victim of modern slavery.” These chilling words come from a Taiwanese female lured by a fake job offer, only to be sold into a scam compound in Cambodia. She is not alone. She is one of thousands deceived into this industry—people who left home hoping for a better life, only to find themselves trapped in a living nightmare. Scam: Inside Southeast Asia's Cybercrime Compounds (Verso Books, 2025) arrives at a critical moment, shedding light on one of the world's fastest-growing criminal economies: Southeast Asia's online scam industry. Running the gamut from the notorious “pig butchering” romance scams to elaborate online extortion and investment frauds, this system has transformed parts of the region into global hubs of cybercrime. Meticulously researched and grounded in years of fieldwork, Scam offers an unflinching look into the prison-like compounds that have mushroomed across multiple countries. Within these walled complexes, victims are often coerced into becoming perpetrators—trapped in what the authors describe as “compound capitalism,” a chilling hybrid of enslavement and exploitation. Scam traces how small-scale online gambling rings evolved into an international “scamdemic,” accelerated by the disruptions of COVID-19. It examines the “victim–offender trap”, a moral and psychological paradox that makes empathy difficult for outsiders. The result is a deeply human investigation into how modern slavery adapts to digital capitalism. The authors uncover the operations of scam compounds across Southeast Asia. In my interview with Ling and Ivan, what stood out was not only their depth of knowledge but their compassion. They used their skills to build trust with victims, gather evidence, and, in some cases, help orchestrate rescues. Their work is both rigorous and profoundly humane, illuminating a crisis that grows more complex each day. Though many of those involved—both perpetrators and victims—are ethnically Chinese, the networks now span continents. The scam compounds are a global phenomenon, built on economic desperation, weak governance, and digital interconnectivity. Scam is more than an exposé. It is a call to action and a vital first step toward understanding a new form of global exploitation—where modern technology and ancient cruelty combine to create a system that enslaves the vulnerable and profits from despair. Ling Li is pursuing a PhD at Ca' Foscari University of Venice with a focus on the role of technology in enabling modern slavery and human trafficking in East and Southeast Asia. In the past few years, she has been providing support to survivors of scam compounds in Southeast Asia, interacting with local and international civil society organisations to bring them relief and help with repatriation. Ivan Franceschini is a lecturer at the Asia Institute, University of Melbourne. His current research focuses on ethnic Chinese transnational crime, especially in the field of online fraud. He co-founded the Made in China Journal and The People's Map of Global China/ Global China Pulse. His books include Proletarian China (2022), Global China as Method (2022), and Afterlives of Chinese Communism (2019). He also co-directed the documentaries Dreamwork China (2011) and Boramey (2021). Mark Bo is a researcher who has been based in East and Southeast Asia for 2 decades. He has worked globally with local civil society partners to monitor and advocate for improved environmental and social practices in development projects and utilises his background in corporate and financial mapping to investigate stakeholders involved in Asia's online gambling, fraud, and money laundering industries. Bing Wang receives her PhD at the University of Leeds in 2020. Her research interests include the exploration of overseas Chinese cultural identity and critical heritage studies. She is also a freelance translator. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
In 1992, a seismic scan triggered by a Chinese nuclear test allegedly revealed a massive pyramid hidden beneath the Alaskan wilderness, larger than Giza's Great Pyramid. What followed were vanished news reports, military denials, whistle blowers, and claims of a forbidden underground structure the government refuses to acknowledge.The BOOKBY US A COFFEEJoin Sarah's new FACEBOOK GROUPSubscribe to our PATREONEMAIL us your storiesJoin us on INSTAGRAMJoin us on TWITTERJoin us on FACEBOOKVisit our WEBSITESources:https://www.ghosttheory.com/2012/07/31/the-lost-pyramid-of-alaskahttps://theilluminerdy.com/dark-pyramids-under-alaska/https://www.strangeoutdoors.com/mysterious-world/2021/11/23/the-alaska-trianglehttps://medium.com/the-mystery-box/beyond-the-black-pyramid-d101025b6b3ahttps://www.earthfiles.com/2012/07/26/part-1-mysterious-underground-pyramid-structure-near-mount-mckinley/https://www.gi.alaska.edu/news/it-lurks-beneath-barrowhttps://www.iflscience.com/inside-the-alaska-triangle-29843Sarah and Tobie xx"Spacial Winds," Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licenced under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licencehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/;;;SURVEY Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Few beauty executives currently compete in a category they created, but that's the case for Dr. Julie Chung and Kent Yu, the married co-founders behind T3 hair tools (19:00). The duo created the luxury hair tool category back in 2004 when they launched T3 with the first lightweight, sleek and quiet blowdryer that delivered smoother, faster results. T3's Featherweight model was the first luxury dryer on the market and the most expensive at the time, priced at $200. Dr. Chung and Yu quickly found a consumer, and before long, T3 was the first hair tool sold in stores like Sephora. Fast forward 21 years, and they still own and operate 100% of their Los Angeles-based business. The success of T3 created a runway for a category now filled with brands like Dyson and Shark Beauty. So what is it like to compete in a category you created? Host Lexy Lebsack sat down with Dr. Chung and Yu to learn about their journey to becoming beauty founders, including making time for Dr. Chung's first career as an eye doctor. They also discuss how they're navigating their biggest challenges, balancing retail and DTC, maintaining NPD standards in a faster-is-better world, and competing within the category. But first, Lebsack is joined by co-host Emily Jensen to break down the news of the week. This includes the controversial launch of Rini, a line of skin-care products made for kids aged 2-12 and sold DTC. The line was launched earlier this month by actress Shay Mitchell, boyfriend Matte Babel and Esther Song, and received immediate backlash. Lebsack and Jensen also discuss the launch of Dua by AB, a diffusion line from skin-care founder Augustinus Bader and fronted by singer Dua Lipa. Unfortunately, diffusion lines — defined as secondary, lower-priced product lines from a higher-end brand — rarely find success in the beauty industry. Finally, the duo discusses L'Oréal Group's new investment in Chinese mass clean beauty brand Lan and Estée Lauder Companies' investment in Mexican niche fragrance brand Xinú.
On the HAT Podcast Eric Pfeiffer and Andy Eubank have the news including farmer insights on how trade is faring in this newest Trump administration and it was a good finish to the northwest Indiana corn crop this year. HAT Chief Meteorologist Ryan Martin has partly sunny skies today before clouds and rain chances move in for the southern portions of Indiana, and the Wednesday corn, soybean and wheat markets sold off despite recent Chinese soybean purchases. Andy has settlements and Tom Fritz has market analysis. It's all part of the #HATPodcast, made possible by First Farmers Bank & Trust - proudly serving local farms, families, and agribusiness for 140 years. Visit them online at FFBT.com to learn more.
n this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Brendan Ahern, Chief Investment Officer at KraneShares, to break down the pivotal shift happening inside China's equity markets. A Trump–Xi truce, policy stabilization, and a surge in cloud and AI revenues are driving fresh optimism into Chinese tech — and Brendan explains why global investors are quietly reallocating back into KWEB.From improving CPI and government action on involution to cloud-driven AI monetization, semiconductor risks, and the new wave of international inflows, Brendan lays out the forces reshaping China's market narrative after years of pessimism.In this episode:– Why China's cloud and AI revenue growth is outpacing expectations– How anti-involution policy is stabilizing competition and lifting margins– Why global investors — especially Europe and Asia — are rotating back into China– Where KWEB sees opportunity across online video, entertainment, and emerging tech– Why semiconductor valuations demand caution despite the broader tech rebound– How the Trump–Xi détente may open the door to further policy normalizationLead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise.#LeadLagLive #KWEB #KraneShares #ChinaTech #AI #EmergingMarkets #Investing #MarketsStart your adventure with TableTalk Friday: A D&D Podcast at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts!Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgB6B-mAeWlPM9KzGJ2O4cU0-m5lO0lkr&si=W_-jLsiREjyAIgEsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Support the show
“If I had been enslaved for a year or two, I might not be able to believe in humanity any more.” “I am a victim of modern slavery.” These chilling words come from a Taiwanese female lured by a fake job offer, only to be sold into a scam compound in Cambodia. She is not alone. She is one of thousands deceived into this industry—people who left home hoping for a better life, only to find themselves trapped in a living nightmare. Scam: Inside Southeast Asia's Cybercrime Compounds (Verso Books, 2025) arrives at a critical moment, shedding light on one of the world's fastest-growing criminal economies: Southeast Asia's online scam industry. Running the gamut from the notorious “pig butchering” romance scams to elaborate online extortion and investment frauds, this system has transformed parts of the region into global hubs of cybercrime. Meticulously researched and grounded in years of fieldwork, Scam offers an unflinching look into the prison-like compounds that have mushroomed across multiple countries. Within these walled complexes, victims are often coerced into becoming perpetrators—trapped in what the authors describe as “compound capitalism,” a chilling hybrid of enslavement and exploitation. Scam traces how small-scale online gambling rings evolved into an international “scamdemic,” accelerated by the disruptions of COVID-19. It examines the “victim–offender trap”, a moral and psychological paradox that makes empathy difficult for outsiders. The result is a deeply human investigation into how modern slavery adapts to digital capitalism. The authors uncover the operations of scam compounds across Southeast Asia. In my interview with Ling and Ivan, what stood out was not only their depth of knowledge but their compassion. They used their skills to build trust with victims, gather evidence, and, in some cases, help orchestrate rescues. Their work is both rigorous and profoundly humane, illuminating a crisis that grows more complex each day. Though many of those involved—both perpetrators and victims—are ethnically Chinese, the networks now span continents. The scam compounds are a global phenomenon, built on economic desperation, weak governance, and digital interconnectivity. Scam is more than an exposé. It is a call to action and a vital first step toward understanding a new form of global exploitation—where modern technology and ancient cruelty combine to create a system that enslaves the vulnerable and profits from despair. Ling Li is pursuing a PhD at Ca' Foscari University of Venice with a focus on the role of technology in enabling modern slavery and human trafficking in East and Southeast Asia. In the past few years, she has been providing support to survivors of scam compounds in Southeast Asia, interacting with local and international civil society organisations to bring them relief and help with repatriation. Ivan Franceschini is a lecturer at the Asia Institute, University of Melbourne. His current research focuses on ethnic Chinese transnational crime, especially in the field of online fraud. He co-founded the Made in China Journal and The People's Map of Global China/ Global China Pulse. His books include Proletarian China (2022), Global China as Method (2022), and Afterlives of Chinese Communism (2019). He also co-directed the documentaries Dreamwork China (2011) and Boramey (2021). Mark Bo is a researcher who has been based in East and Southeast Asia for 2 decades. He has worked globally with local civil society partners to monitor and advocate for improved environmental and social practices in development projects and utilises his background in corporate and financial mapping to investigate stakeholders involved in Asia's online gambling, fraud, and money laundering industries. Bing Wang receives her PhD at the University of Leeds in 2020. Her research interests include the exploration of overseas Chinese cultural identity and critical heritage studies. She is also a freelance translator. Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/southeast-asian-studies
NHK WORLD RADIO JAPAN - Chinese News at 15:10 (JST), November 20
In this episode of Now I Get It, I explore the fascinating intersection of language, culture, and gender identity—and how our words shape the way we perceive human difference. I dive into how languages like Chinese, English, and German handle gender differently, showing that grammatical gender often has nothing to do with biological sex. What started as simple sound harmonies and linguistic structures in ancient languages evolved into the gender categories we use today, even though the roots were never about “male” or “female” at all.From there, I take a closer look at the biological complexity of sex differentiation—and why the tidy binary of “male” and “female” doesn't capture the real diversity of human biology. Through examples like androgen insensitivity syndrome and variations in the SRY gene, I show how genetics and hormones don't always align neatly with societal definitions of gender or sex. The result? A compelling case for rethinking how we talk about identity and embracing the spectrum that actually exists.In this episode, you will learn:(00:45) How language structures gender—and why some languages don't even have it(02:30) The origins of grammatical gender and how it accidentally became tied to sex(03:50) Why English mostly lost grammatical gender (and what remains of it today)(04:20) What the SRY gene is and how it determines sex differentiation(05:10) The role of androgen insensitivity and how it challenges binary assumptions(06:30) Real-world examples of chromosomal diversity beyond XX and XY(07:40) Why our cultural obsession with binaries doesn't match biological or linguistic realityLet's connect!linktr.ee/drprandy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tesla shareholders approved Elon Musk's $1.2 trillion compensation package despite a Delaware court ruling it illegal, as Chinese competitors sell EVs for $10,000 and Tesla pivots from cars to humanoid robots. We examine why the board gave Musk the largest pay deal in history, how Chinese automakers threaten Tesla's survival, and why Musk demands 25% voting control or threatens to build his AI empire elsewhere.https://wilwaldon.com
Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Moonlit Tea Tales: Finding Serenity and Tradition in Zhulin Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-11-20-08-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 在一个宁静的秋天黄昏,微风轻轻吹拂着竹林。En: On a tranquil autumn evening, a gentle breeze brushed through the zhulin, the bamboo grove.Zh: 竹子在风中沙沙作响,仿佛在低语。En: The bamboo leaves rustled in the wind as if whispering.Zh: 月光洒下柔和的光辉,照亮了地上的每一片落叶。En: Moonlight cast its soft glow, illuminating every fallen leaf on the ground.Zh: 今天,竹林里正举行一场特别的茶道仪式。En: Today, a special tea ceremony was being held in the bamboo grove.Zh: 这次仪式正值中秋节,陈在竹林深处布置了茶桌,为几位爱茶之人准备了一次传统的茶会。En: This ceremony coincided with the Mid-Autumn Festival, and Chen had set up a tea table deep in the grove to prepare a traditional tea party for a few tea lovers.Zh: 在城市忙碌的日常生活中,李华一直在寻找心灵的平静。En: Amidst the bustle of city life, Li Hua had been seeking peace of mind.Zh: 她早就听说竹林茶会的悠然之美,便决定趁着假期参加这次活动。En: She had long heard about the tranquil beauty of the bamboo grove tea gathering and decided to take advantage of the holiday to attend.Zh: 李华心中满怀期待,盼望能在竹林中寻到一丝宁静。En: Li Hua, filled with anticipation, hoped to find a touch of serenity in the bamboo grove.Zh: 李华轻轻穿过竹林,眼前是一个小茶桌,上面摆放着精美的茶具和香气四溢的月饼。En: Li Hua gently traversed the bamboo grove and saw a small tea table adorned with exquisite tea sets and fragrant mooncakes.Zh: 陈正在一旁忙碌,摆放茶具,同时轻声欢迎每一位到来的客人。En: Chen was busy nearby arranging the tea sets while softly welcoming each arriving guest.Zh: 他是这次茶会的主持者,是一位热爱传统文化的学者。En: He was the host of this tea party, a scholar who loved traditional culture.Zh: 李华坐下,温暖的茶香萦绕鼻际。En: Li Hua sat down, enveloped by the warm aroma of tea.Zh: 陈一边为大家斟茶,一边分享茶道的悠长历史和每一步的意义。En: Chen poured tea for everyone while sharing the long history of the tea ceremony and the significance of each step.Zh: 李华被他的故事所吸引,她感受到了一种深深的共鸣。En: Li Hua was captivated by his stories and felt a deep resonance.Zh: 两人间自然地展开了对话。En: A natural conversation unfolded between them.Zh: 李华提到自己的困惑,她一直努力在都市奔波,却难以找到心灵的满足感。En: Li Hua mentioned her confusion, how she had been striving in the bustling city, yet found it hard to attain satisfaction for her soul.Zh: 陈也说起自己的矛盾,传统与现代之间,他总是难以取舍。En: Chen also spoke of his dilemmas, always torn between tradition and modernity.Zh: 随着夜幕降临,茶会也进入了高潮。En: As night fell, the tea gathering reached its climax.Zh: 大家一同享用月饼,举目望向挂在天边的圆月。En: Everyone enjoyed mooncakes together, gazing at the full moon hanging in the sky.Zh: 这个中秋之夜,月亮似乎格外明亮,照映着每个人的思绪。En: On this Mid-Autumn night, the moon seemed exceptionally bright, reflecting each person's thoughts.Zh: 就在这一刻,李华和陈都意识到彼此的渴望。En: At that moment, Li Hua and Chen both realized each other's longing.Zh: 他们都向往更加真实简单的生活,珍视那些质朴而珍贵的时光。En: They both yearned for a more genuine and simple life, cherishing those simple yet precious moments.Zh: 茶会结束后,李华和陈相视一笑。En: After the tea gathering ended, Li Hua and Chen exchanged smiles.Zh: 他们约定,今后要更好地融合过去的传统和当下的变化,过一种更有意义的生活。En: They promised to better integrate the traditions of the past with the changes of the present, aiming for a more meaningful life.Zh: 离开竹林时,李华内心充满了勇气。En: As they left the bamboo grove, Li Hua was filled with courage.Zh: 她决定回去后,好好整理自己的生活,更多地关注内心真正想要的。En: She decided to reorganize her life upon returning, focusing more on what her heart truly desired.Zh: 陈也愿意向现代开放,让自己的传统更具活力。En: Chen was also willing to embrace modernity, hoping to infuse more vitality into his traditions.Zh: 秋风继续在竹林中低语,月光照耀下的每一株竹子,见证着一个新的开始。En: The autumn wind continued to whisper through the bamboo grove, and the moonlit bamboo stood witness to a new beginning.Zh: 两个人踏上回家的路,心中满是对未来的期许。En: The two set off on their way home, their hearts full of expectations for the future.Zh: 竹林寂静,然而每一颗心都充满了希望与决心。En: The bamboo grove was silent, yet each heart was filled with hope and determination. Vocabulary Words:tranquil: 宁静whispering: 低语coincided: 正值seek: 寻找peace of mind: 心灵的平静anticipation: 期待serenity: 宁静traverse: 穿过adorned: 摆放exquisite: 精美fragrant: 香气四溢aroma: 茶香captivated: 吸引resonance: 共鸣unfolded: 展开satisfaction: 满足感climax: 高潮gazing: 望向exceptionally: 格外reflecting: 照映longing: 渴望genuine: 真实cherishing: 珍视integrate: 融合courage: 勇气reorganize: 整理embrace: 开放vitality: 活力witness: 见证expectations: 期许
The UK automotive sector is navigating a period of significant change, with government policy, economic pressures, and international competition shaping the landscape. Ford UK boss Lisa Brankin outlines the risks posed by reported government measures, including a “pay per mile” on EVs, one of the measures the Chancellor is supposedly looking to address. Brankin tells Sean Farrington that these changes could further suppress demand for electric vehicles at a time when the market is already fragile. She also draws attention to the role of employee car benefit schemes, explaining that any reduction in these incentives could have a substantial impact on the auto industry.Ambitious climate targets set by the government are juxtaposed with the realities of consumer demand, as Brankin describes a market where regulatory ambition outpaces public appetite for electric vehicles. She calls for a coordinated and consistent approach to policy, stressing that ongoing government support is essential for the industry to meet net zero objectives. The interview also addresses the effects of economic uncertainty and the increasing influence of Chinese car manufacturers, which present additional challenges for established brands like Ford.Presenter: Sean Farrington Producer: Olie D'Albertanson Editor: Henry Jones00:00 Introduction and welcome from Fliss and Sean 02:39 Lisa Brankin joins pod discusses tough UK car industry 06:36 Electric vehicle targets and government policy impact 15:29 Chinese car manufacturers and competition 21:21 Brand loyalty and UK manufacturing footprint 26:16 Northern Ireland's economy and opportunities
Demissionair minister Vincent Karremans (Economische Zaken, VVD) greep in september hard in bij het Chinese chipbedrijf Nexperia, dat is gevestigd in Nederland. Hij ontketende daarmee een diplomatieke rel met China. EU-correspondent Rik Rutten volgde de rel en ziet hoe de actie van één minister de hele Europese chipindustrie op scherp zette.Gast: Rik RuttenPresentatie: Gabriella AdèrRedactie: Nina van Hattum en Ignace Schoot Montage: Gal Tsadok-HaiEindredactie: Ruben PestCoördinatie: Belle BraakhekkeProductie: Rhea StroinkHeb je vragen, suggesties of ideeën over onze journalistiek? Mail dan naar onze redactie via podcast@nrc.nl.Zie het privacybeleid op https://art19.com/privacy en de privacyverklaring van Californië op https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Kilowatt Podcast - Episode SummaryIn this episode of Kilowatt, Bodie dives into the latest in electric vehicle and energy news. Tesla gets the green light to test robotaxis with safety drivers in Arizona. Polestar 3 owners in the U.S. can now power their homes with their vehicles thanks to a partnership with dcbel, showcasing real-world benefits of vehicle-to-home (V2H) technology. Meanwhile, GM is telling suppliers to move away from Chinese sourcing by 2027 amid rising geopolitical tensions. Bodie also discusses two key Recurrent studies showing that modern EV batteries degrade less than expected over three years and almost never need replacement. This data could ease fears for anyone considering a used EV. The episode wraps with practical advice on which EV generations to consider and why the battery concerns are largely overblown.Support the Show
Speaking in Lusaka, Premier Li Qiang said China and Zambia should join other Global South countries to safeguard a fair international economic and trade order and uphold shared interests.
My first interview with Lada Nuzhna, Founder & CEO of General Control. General Control engineers epigenetic medicines for age-related diseases.
Tommy and Ben discuss Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to Washington, his request for F-35 fighter jets and a NATO-like security guarantee, the real estate deals the Trump family might get in return, and how corruption is driving US foreign policy, including in the case of a gold-bar bribe from the Swiss. Then they talk about new reports on embattled (and embarrassing) FBI Director Kash Patel, what leaked emails tell us about Jeffrey Epstein's relationship with Israeli intelligence and former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, how Chinese hackers used AI in a game-changing new way, why the former prime minister of Bangladesh was sentenced to death, a massive corruption scandal in Ukraine, an update on civilians fleeing violence in Sudan, and a new documentary about how Adolf Hitler's teeny tiny secret caused big problems. Then Ben speaks with author and former assistant administrator at USAID, Atul Gawande, whose new documentary “Rovina's Choice” highlights the staggering rise in preventable malnutrition and deaths after American cuts to foreign aid.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.